NOOSA-BASED fine and fashion jewellery retailer Secrets is celebrating 16 years in business this year.
Sixteen years ago beautiful designer jewellery with stones larger than 1 carat were simply out of reach for more than 90 per cent of women.
Being motivated to change this and to be able to offer women an alternative, Secrets co-founder and managing director Jane Meredith researched the new technology in diamond simulants that was emerging in the late nineties.
“We were amazed at what we discovered; a stone that looked like a diamond, sparkled like a diamond and had brilliance that would last a lifetime,” Ms Meredith said.
Ms Meredith opened the first Secrets store in Bay Village, Hastings Street, in 2000 and has since grown the company to become a respected fine and fashion jewellery retailer with stores throughout Australia and online.
“We started out with a small shop in Bay Village Noosa Heads. I was really unsure how women would react to the concept of state-of-the-art diamond simulants set in high quality fine jewellery designs, because they are man-made stones,” she said.
“Surprisingly, over 40 per cent of our market is actually engagement rings.”
Ms Meredith said there had been plenty of highlights and challenges throughout the business’ 16-year history including being a finalist in the 2015 Prix De Marie Claire Awards and celebrating a collaboration with the official VIP Tour packages for An Evening With Oprah last year.
Many women have shared their discovery of Secrets, and the company is preparing to have 100 stores by 2025.
To celebrate its sweet 16th Birthday, Secrets participating stores and online will have a special offer each day from 1 April to thank their customers for 16 years of loyalty.
Secrets Noosa store will also hold a morning tea on Friday 15 April from 9.30am to celebrate the birthplace of Secrets.
Everyone is welcome to join in the fun at Secrets Noosa 32 Hastings Street.
